Thailand Vehicle Registration Process

The Process of Vehicle Registration In Thailand For Imported Cars, Trucks, & Motorbikes

When shipping a vehicle to Thailand, there are two approaches you can take: temporary or permanent registration. Naturally, temporary registration has a few less hoops to jump through, but most of the paperwork and documents needed for temporary registration also apply to permanent registration. Here’s what you’ll need for a temporary vehicle registration permit in Thailand:

Identification/Passport

Declaration form

Invoice

Registration

Temporary import application

The rest of this page will focus on requirements for permanent import and registration of a foreign vehicle in Thailand.

Required Documents For Permanent Registration

An import permit is required to bring a car into Thailand, unless it is new and has not been registered in another country. For other vehicles, you must obtain the import permit from the Ministry of Commerce before you ship your vehicle to the country.

As with any country and the laws that govern vehicle registration, it’s important to check with the local departments in charge of it to get the most up to date information. (You can find links to these resources at the bottom of this page.)

For additional resources about vehicle shipping, visit our Thailand international transport page! There you’ll find lots of useful information including the expected costs of shipping and taxes (they are high in Thailand).

Thailand Roadworthiness Inspection & Vehicle Registration Resources

Part of the process of getting a vehicle registered in Thailand involved a roadworthiness test for imported vehicles. This is one of the key components of the registration process and you will need to make necessary repairs to pass the inspection if you fail the initial attempt.

Thailand Roadworthiness Inspection

Cars and trucks more than 7 years old and motorcycles more than 5 years old must undergo a roadworthiness inspection in Thailand. The document you’ll received once you have passed the inspection is called the “ToRorOr” and you will need it for registration purposes. The roadworthiness test examines basic components and safety features of the vehicle to make sure everything is in working order. These are the main points of the inspection:

Emissions test

Headlights and blinkers

Brakes and tires

Steering

Mirrors

Body damage

Thailand Vehicle Registration Resources

Department of Land Transport – The Department of Land Transport is the closest approximation that Thailand has to what Americans would know as the DMV or motor vehicle department. Their website has many helpful resources for foreigners and residents trying to register a vehicle locally.

Personal Vehicle Import – Information about importing a car, truck, or motorcycle into Thailand for personal use. Here, you’ll find more information about the necessary documents for registration, as well as customs clearance procedures.

Want a FREE shipping quote for shipping a vehicle to Thailand? Contact us today at the number at the top of the page or send us an email to learn more! Our staff is happy to answer questions and direct you toward the proper resources!

After college, he started his career in the auto transport industry from the bottom up and has done virtually every job there is to do at A-1 Auto Transport, including but not limited to: Truck Driver, Dispatch, Sales, PR, Bookkeeping, Transport Planner, Transport Manager, International Transport Manager, Brokering, Customer Service, and Marketing. Working with his mentor Tony Taylor, Joe Webster has learned the ins and outs of this industry which is largely misunderstood.

With over 30 years experience in the industry, we've been helping people ship their vehicles, motorcycles, RV's, heavy equipment, household goods and more across the country or overseas without a hitch. Ask us anything.